Cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the brain and is often considered the most important part of the human brain because of its role in many cognitive functions. It is located in the cerebral hemispheres and consists of six layers of nerve cells called neurons. 

The cerebral cortex is involved in many cognitive functions, such as sensory perception, motor skills, memory, language, decision making and reasoning. Each part of the cerebral cortex is specialized in a specific cognitive function. For example, the frontal region is involved in planning, organizing and decision-making, while the occipital region is involved in vision.

The cerebral cortex is also subdivided into four lobes: the frontal lobe, the parietal lobe, the temporal lobe and the occipital lobe. Each lobe is involved in different cognitive functions. For example, the frontal lobe is involved in planning and decision making, while the parietal lobe is involved in sensory perception.

The different regions of the cerebral cortex are connected to each other by bundles of nerve fibers called axons, which form the central nervous system. These connections are essential for the integration and processing of information in the brain.

Biomarkers in relation to the cerebral cortex: 

1. Tau and Beta-amyloid proteins: these proteins are often associated with Alzheimer's disease, which primarily affects the cerebral cortex.

2. Glutamate levels: one study showed that glutamate levels in the cerebral cortex are higher in patients with schizophrenia.

3. Neurotrophin: Neurotrophin is a protein that promotes the survival and growth of nerve cells. Reduced levels of neurotrophin have been observed in the cerebral cortex of patients with depression.

4. MicroRNAs: MicroRNAs are small RNAs that regulate gene expression. Studies have shown that certain microRNAs are differentially expressed in the cerebral cortex in patients with Parkinson's disease.